Egg-case filler.



No. 652,|26. Patented June I9-, |900. E. n. LloNEnGEH;

EGG CASE FIL (Application flied Mar. 1 99. J

(No Model.)

A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER R. LIONBERGER, OF DALLAS CITY, ILLINOIS.

EGG-CASE FILLER.

sPECIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters. Patent No. 652,126, dated .Tune 19, 190e. Application filed March 14, 1899. Serial No. 709,060. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t mag/concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER R. LIONBERGER,

a citizenof the United States, residing at Dallas City, in the county of Hancock and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Egg-Case Fillers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention has relation to egg-case fillers; and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device of this character, the parts of which when once assembled cannot become accidentally disconnected. In devices of this kind the walls are very frail, being made from paper,

and it is necessary that little material as possible be removed in forming the interlocking cuts and tongues to avoid weakening the walls. It is also desirable that the tongues be as short and firm as possible to prevent their being bent or broken in the changes from the collapsed to the expanded positions, in which the tongues must enter t-he cut in the opposite wall to lock the walls together.

`Vith this obj ect in View the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved egg-case filler. Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of one of the longitudinal strips forming the filler. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a portion of one of the transverse strips forming the filler. Fig. 4. is a perspective view illustrating one stage of the assembling or connecting of the transverse strip with the longitudinal strip. Fig. 5 illustrates the second and final stage, and Fig. 6 illustrates the position of parts when the longitudinal strip and the transverse strip are turned at right angles to each other.

In the drawings, l denotes whatI will term, for convenience of reference, the longitudinal strips of an egg-case ller, and 2 the transverse strips of the egg-case iller. The longitudinal strip is provided at predetermined distances in its lower edge with vertical slots 3, having iiaring entrances 4, and provided with a locking projection 5, which projects across the slot. The transverse section is provided at predetermined distances in its upper edge with vertical slots (il, having a flaring entrance 7. Below the slot 6 is a cross-bar 8, below which is an aperture 9.

In assembling the parts the strips are arranged practically parallel with each other, and the slot of one strip is slipped along the slot of the other strip, as shown in Fig. 4t. The cross-bar 8 of the strip 2 is now forced past the projection 5 of the strip l by slightly bending the material to one side and finally is seated in the aperture 9, as shown in Fig. 5. Then the parts are thus connected, the strips are swung around or turned at right angles to each other, thus making it impossible for them to become disconnected, as the projection 5 lies directly in the path of movement of the cross-bar 8 and prevents said bar freeing itself from the slot 3.

By having the end of the tongue or locking projection cut off abruptly and abutting against the opposite wall of the slot the base of the tongue can have su fcient width to` give it great strength without having to weaken the opposite wall by cutting it away to give room for the tip, as would be necessary if the tip were pointed, and at the same time there would not be the liability of the tip engaging with the cross-piece or other portion ot' the other strip of the filler. Nor is there any need for bending the tongue to one side in assembling the parts, as its blunt end will engage with one of the walls of the slot in the other strip of the filler, as shown in Fig. 4., and prevent longitudinal movement of the strips. On account of the short length of the tongue the opening in the other strip need not be so wide as would be necessary for a longer tongue. Nor is there any need of iieXible braces to permit the tongue to enter and then center it in the opening. As the wall opposite the end of the tongue is continuous-that is, without any recess or cut-away portion-it is impossible for the cross-piece to be forced to one side of the strip,and thus slip around the end of the tongue.

It will of course be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacriicing any of the advantages of the invention.

IOO

Having thus described the invention, what with a tongue of the same length as the Width of the slot and havingits end terminating abruptly and abutting against the opposite Wall of the slot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set l my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit messes.

ELMER R'. LIONBERGER.

`Witnesses:

WALTER I. LIONBERGER, REBECCA L. L IONBERGER. 

